John Morrill Energy Manager Arlington County, VA October 24, 2007 Community-Based Initiatives to Combat Global Warming Austin Energy │ Public Technology Institute Austin, Texas Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions
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John MorrillEnergy Manager
Arlington County, VA
October 24, 2007Community-Based Initiatives to Combat Global Warming
Austin Energy │
Public Technology InstituteAustin, Texas
Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions
This Presentation
•
Success beyond our expectations•
Overview of initial program & goals
•
Establishing the baseline•
Climate action integrates existing efforts
•
Leading by example•
Reaching out to community
•
Demonstrate co-benefits•
The Payoff: internal & external
…and the beat goes on
Arlington: Fresh AIRE
•
January 1, 2007 announcement by Arlington County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson
•
Set goal: 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from County government operations from 2000 to 2012
•
Identified specific actions in 2007 by County government, with active outreach to residents and businesses for their involvement
•
Climate action plans will set future agenda & work plans; Cool Counties helps set targets
Baseline Emissions
•
Year 2000 baseline emissions inventories prepared using ICLEI CCP software
•
Corporate emissions (109,000 tons total):–
74,000 tons eCO2
government–
35,000 tons eCO2
schools
•
Community emissions:–
2.9 million tons eCO2
(about 15 tons per person)
Baseline Emissions
Total Arlington County Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector, 2000
Commercial buildings, 40.9%
Solid waste flow, 3.0%
Private and commercial
vehicles, 29.3%
Residential buildings, 23.0%
Government buildings, 2.3%
Water/sewer operations, 0.7%
Streetlights, 0.4%
Government vehicles, 0.4%
Gov't
Government < 4% of total, so community outreach critical
Total community emissions: 2.9 million tons CO2-equivalent
Climate Action Integrates Environmental Programs
•
Our past efforts have cut CO2
emissions 2.6% between 2000 and 2005, amid increasing services to public and growth in facilities.
•
No single “silver bullet”. Rather, a mix of actions and policies together cut CO2
.
•
This result is not unique to Arlington: Kansas City and Ann Arbor have found similar reductions in CO2
from such practices and policies over similar time periods.
•
Therefore, we seek to encourage private sector to embrace similar practices.
Climate Action Integrates Environmental Programs
-1500
-1000-500
0500
10001500
2000
Tons
CO
2 eq
uiva
lent
ch
ange
, 200
0-20
05
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Existing environmental initiatives in gov't operations result in 2.6% net decline in GHG emissions from
2000 to 2005
1 Wind energy2 LED traffic signals3 Efficiency in buildings4 Biodiesel5 Vehicle efficiency6 Trees7 Energy in new facilities
Fresh AIRE 2007
County activity leading by example•
Aiming to cut energy use in County buildings 2% per year through improved energy efficiency
•
Doubling wind power buy (6% of total)•
Planting 1,200+ canopy trees per year
•
New county green building policy•
Renewed emphasis on recycling
•
Installing solar on facilities•
Communicating our activities, success
Energy Efficiency is Job # 1
•
Cost-effective…
smart!–
Arlington typically finds 5-year payback on improvements (20% return on investment)
•
Some paybacks ~8-12 years, big ticket items•
Some paybacks ~8 weeks, common sense
–
Loads of “low-hanging fruit”
in lighting, HVAC systems, building controls, motors and drives, etc.
–
We find cost-effective improvements even in new buildings.
•
Energy efficiency provides a hedge against uncertain energy price increases
Active Outreach
•
Extensive use of Energy Star tools•
Chamber of Commerce & members
•
CFLs, home & business energy audits•
Engaging the faith community
•
Environmental groups, regional groups
Economic and Social Services
Climate action serves many County goals
•
Assist senior citizens and low-income residents: cut costs, improve comfort
•
Affordable housing is more than low rent: energy efficiency lowers operating costs
•
Public health: reducing greenhouse gases improves local air quality too
•
Smart transport planningserves business & residents
Board-approved FY 2008 Budget:Environmental Sustainability Fund
•
Funded through new residential electric and gas utility taxes; tax based on use
•
First 400 kWh/month electricity exempt, First 20 therms/month natural gas exempt
•
Capped at $3/month per account, many households will pay no tax
•
$1.5 million in revenue for climate action, institutionalizing AIRE, 4 new FTE
Commitment in FY08 & Beyond
Board-approved FY 2008 Budget:Environmental Sustainability Fund•
Fund upgrades in County facilities–
Continue to lead by example, maximizing cost-effective improvements for 1.8 million sq. ft. of buildings plus infrastructure
•
Fund outreach & incentives for residents and the commercial sector–
Workshops, seminars, energy audits, incentives, enhance employee transit and business recycling programs
Commitment in FY08 & Beyond
Arlington will be a diverse and inclusive world-class urban community with secure, attractive residential and
commercial neighborhoods, where people unite to form a caring, learning, participating, sustainable community in
which each person is important.-------------------------------------------------------------
Economic Sustainability Environmental SustainabilityTwo sides of same coin
Arlington County Vision
Convinced the market is changing, this summer entrepreneurs approached the County with a novel business plan: to operate an all-hybrid fleet of taxis. The County awarded them 50 certificates (‘medallions’).
Home performance contractors are now sprouting up in this previously underserved market, e.g. --
Climate Action = Business Catalyst
Virginia Tech and Pepco Energy Services approached the County independently; our introducing them to each other led to Energy Efficiency Partnership of Greater Washington with $500 million commitment from Hannon-Armstrong.
Associate partners:
Climate Action = Business Catalyst
Keeping up with the neighbors
Seven cities in Virginia have signed the U.S. Mayors’ Agreement on Climate Protection.
Three counties in Virginia have adopted the Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration: Fairfax County, Arlington County, and James City County.
Cool Counties: aiming to stop emissions growth by 2010; achieve an 80% reduction by 2050.
Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions
www.arlingtonva.us/climatewww.arlingtonclimateblog.com
General inquiries: climate@arlingtonva.us
John Morrill, Energy Manager jmorrill@arlingtonva.us
703.228.4426
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